The Arizona Supreme Court has scheduled an execution for March 19, resuming the state's capital punishment process after a hiatus of over two years. Aaron Brian Gunches awaits execution for his role in the murder of Ted Price, which he confessed to over 17 years ago. This decision marks Arizona's first death penalty application since a controversial episode stalled its use.
Gunches was found guilty of the 2002 shooting of Ted Price near Mesa, Arizona. Authorities later linked him to another crime where he shot at a state trooper, saved only by a bulletproof vest. Gunches himself claims his death sentence is overdue, requesting an earlier execution date—an appeal the court turned down.
Ted Price's sister, Karen Price, weighs in, describing her brother as a kind soul with a passion for motorcycle riding and Phoenix sports teams. His murder left a lasting impact on her family, particularly on Price's two children, then teenagers. Her relief upon the issuing of Gunches's execution warrant is palpable as she expresses the family's long-awaited closure.
Arizona's handling of capital punishment remained fraught with challenges post-2014, attributable to a controversial execution and subsequent drug procurement issues. The last year saw three executions, each scrutinized for procedural hiccups, including an incident involving difficulty with injecting a prisoner.
Arizona had put a halt to executions due to a review initiated by the state's Democratic attorney general, aiming to refine and approve execution methodologies. This introspection concluded with improvements to align with constitutional norms, signifying a cautious re-endorsement of the death penalty by Governor Katie Hobbs. The governor reiterated her intent to uphold the law with a focus on justice transparency and humanity.
In the run-up to this recent development, Gunches, who is self-represented, urged the court to forgo further legalities in favor of expediting his execution. His advisory attorney, however, refrained from any immediate comment when approached.
This resumption in Arizona's death penalty proceedings not only highlights ongoing legal and ethical discourse around capital punishment but also underlines the fine balance between justice served and the methods employed in its deliverance.